Simona Halep leads the charge of the Generation Next Players

Simona Halep leads the charge

Right now, Simona Halep is leading the wave of young guns that are challenging for the biggest tournaments on the WTA tour. 

The aggressive baseliner is currently coached by Wim Fissette, who can be extremely proud of his charge. 

2008 Junior Roland Garros
Champion

She was born in Constanta, Romania in 1991 and started playing tennis at the age of 4, in 2008 Simona began playing junior competitions and that same year reached the Australian Open Juniors QF, four months later she won the Roland Garros Junior Championships. 

Simona faced some controversy when she announced that she had breast reduction surgery to further her career. But since the surgery she has shot up the rankings by 450 places, almost to the very top. In 2008 she ended the year at #352, she is currently sitting firmly at #3 after a solid 2014 at the Slams. 

Simona Halep may not be the newbie up and comer anymore. Since middle 2013 she has truly broken through from merely talented to serious contender on the women’s tour. 

She started 2013 at #47 and from May to November 2013 Simona won 6 titles on the tour including 2 Premier events, the only woman to win more, was Serena Williams. All in all not a bad year for the 21 year old who ended 2013 at #11. 

This 7-month-6-title spree nabbed her the prestigious ‘WTA Most Improved Player 2013” award, and she has yet to show any signs of slowing down in 2014, with her Slam resumé for 2014 as follows: Australian Open (QF), Roland Garros (F) and Wimbledon (SF). 

Despite being runner up in the Roland Garros Final, Simona showed that she is the real deal, she is not just lucky to be the best player after Serena Williams and Li Na this year. She plays intelligent, aggressive, counterpunching tennis. 

I would think that Simona is a multiple Slam Champion, and her first Slam win is likely not more than 12 months off. She’ll be a favorite for the US Open in August. Her main rival seems like it will be Eugenie Bouchard. I’m no psychic, but I have a feeling that their rivalry in the next 10 years could be likened to the Roger/Rafa, Rafa/Novak rivalries on the men’s tour. 

Could this be the turn of the women to have a Fab Four? 

Read more about Simona here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simona_Halep

Or better yet, follow her on twitter @HalepFanpage or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SimonaHalepOfficial/info